The Philadelphia Museum of Art, along with co-partner Campus Philly, has announced that the 22nd-annual College Day on the Parkway will take place Saturday, September 27, 2008. In addition to offering college students free admission (with valid college ID) to 11 participating cultural institutions, this day-long festival of culture on the Parkway will include Campus Philly’s kick-off concert. Visitors to the Museum on College Day can enjoy more than 200 galleries; explore special exhibitions including Gee’s Bend: The Architecture of the Quilt and Thomas Chambers (1808-1869): American Marine and Landscape Painter, both of which are devoted to the remarkable vision of artists working outside the mainstream; and visit the recently opened Ruth and Raymond G. Perelman Building — all free of charge.

The Museum hosted its first College Day in 1987. By 1992, when other institutions on or near the Ben Franklin Parkway joined in, the event became known as College Day on the Parkway. Since then, museums and cultural centers in Fairmount, University City and Old City have also participated. Last year’s College Day event attracted more than 2,500 students from colleges throughout the region.

The participating institutions agree that the city’s cultural treasures are a key component of the Philadelphia college experience. Marla Shoemaker, the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Senior Curator of Education, said: “We all believe strongly in the importance of acquainting new and returning college students with the city’s vast cultural opportunities, and College Day on the Parkway is a wonderful way to do just that. The Museum is also delighted to work with Campus Philly to further enhance the experience.”

In addition to the opportunity to experience art, history, and science institutions for free, students are invited to enter the College Day Raffle for prizes including dinners at popular area restaurants, museum shop items, and free museum memberships. Tickets, available at every College Day site, must be stamped by at least three institutions and returned to the last site visited.
Free shuttle buses run from 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. For public transportation information, call SEPTA at (215) 580-7800.

College Day on the Parkway participating institutions:

Academy of Natural Sciences (10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)
19th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Open free on College Day since 1992

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)
22nd Street and Fairmount Avenue
Open free on College Day since 1995

The Franklin Institute (9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.)
20th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Open free on College Day since 1992

Free Library of Philadelphia (9 a.m.-5 p.m.)
19th and Vine Streets
Open free on College Day since 1994

Galleries at Moore College of Art and Design (12 p.m.-4 p.m.)
20th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Open free on College Day since 1992

Institute of Contemporary Art at the University of Pennsylvania (11 a.m.-5 p.m.)
118 South 36th Street
Open free on College Day since 2003

National Constitution Center
525 Arch Street, Independence Mall

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Broad and Cherry Streets
Open free on College Day since 1992

Philadelphia Museum of Art (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)
26th Street and Benjamin Franklin ParkwayRuth and Raymond G. Perelman Building
Fairmount and Pennsylvania Avenues
Open free on College Day since 1987

Rodin Museum (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)
22nd Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Open free on College Day since 1992

University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)
33rd and Spruce Streets
Open free on College Day since 2001

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is Philadelphia's art museum. We are a landmark building. A world-renowned collection. A place that welcomes everyone. We bring the arts to life, inspiring visitors—through scholarly study and creative play—to discover the spirit of imagination that lies in everyone. We connect people with the arts in rich and varied ways, making the experience of the Museum surprising, lively, and always memorable. We are committed to inviting visitors to see the world—and themselves—anew through the beauty and expressive power of the arts.

For additional information, contact the Communications Department of the Philadelphia Museum of Art phone at
215-684-7860, by fax at 215-235-0050, or by e-mail at pressroom@philamuseum.org. The Philadelphia Museum of Art is located on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway at 26th Street. For general information, call (215) 763-8100.